Hall of Fame
Bill Minnick has been designated as a special member of the Founder’s Committee of the Shippensburg University Athletic Hall of Fame. As a member of the university’s Council of Trustees, Minnick was one of the founders of the Athletic Hall of Fame and he is being recognized for his leadership and support in helping to establish the hall.
Minnick entered Shippensburg in the fall of 1948 following a stint in the U.S. Navy. He played football for the Red Raiders for four years, lettering in three of them at end. He played both offense and defense for Shippensburg head coach Vinton Rambo.
The 1948 team was 5-3, the 1949 team went 1-6-1. The 1949 team as unique in that it outscored the opposition for the season despite having a losing record. Shippensburg did not lose any game by more than seven points that year. Late in the season the Red Raiders defeated Indiana 40-6. Indiana had a post season bowl appearance nearly wrapped up but the loss knocked the Indianas out of contention.
The 1950 team went 7-1-1, one of the best records in school history up to that time and the 1951 team was 5-3. In 1951, his senior year, Minnick led the team in pass receiving with 10 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns.
Minnick spent 18 years teaching in public schools in Pennsylvania. He also taught for two years at Harrisburg Area Community College. In addition he coached football on several levels from junior high to college from 1952 to 1967. He was head coach at Shippensburg High School from 1959 to 1964. During his five years at the helm the Greyhounds won two league titles and were runner-ups once.
From 1970 to 1978 he was Administrative Officer for Special Events and a speech writer for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. He served three terms on the Democratic State Committee and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1972.
From 1975 to 1981 Minnick served as a member of the Shippensburg University Council of Trustees. He was named to the Council of Trustees again in 1987. In addition to his efforts towards establishing the Hall of Fame Minnick also helped arrange the appearance of the Shippensburg marching band as the representative for Pennsylvania at Jimmy carter’s Inaugural Parade in 1977.
Minnick, while retired, wrote features for Golf Traveler Magazine and was a member of the Golf Writers Association of American. He is also the author of the book Dr. Vinton H. Rambo, The Golden Age of Shippensburg University Football, 1947-54.
